Is Goose Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Goose Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Goose Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Goose Lake State Forest Campground has 10 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Goose Lake State Forest Campground?

Goose Lake State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Goose Lake State Forest Campground have?

Goose Lake State Forest Campground has 30 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Goose Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Goose Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Goose Lake State Forest Campground?

Goose Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Goose Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Goose Lake State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Goose Lake State Forest Campground

4.45

63 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:RV Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

1,280 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,280 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Goose Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Overnight fees ($20 for most sites) and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at each campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(231) 775-7911

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Goose Lake State Forest Campground

44.3569, -85.2432

Nearby places

Lake City ~2.5 miles

Long Lake ~0.25 mile west

Lake Missaukee ~2 miles south.

Weather at Goose Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Goose Lake State Forest Campground

Summer delivers the warmest weather for water activities, with daytime highs between 70 and 85°F and overnight lows in the 50s and 60s. Water recreation and wildlife viewing peak during these months, though so do mosquitoes and deer flies. Bug spray and screened shelters make evenings more comfortable. Holiday weekends fill all 30 sites quickly at this first-come, first-served campground. Temperatures drop noticeably after sunset even in July and August, so pack a warm layer for campfires.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer (70–85°F) is peak for water recreation, paddling, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Planning Tips

About Goose Lake State Forest Campground

Goose Lake State Forest Campground sits 2.5 miles southeast of Lake City in the Huron-Manistee State Forest, offering 30 rustic, first-come, first-served sites beneath mature pines and hardwoods. The campground hugs an undeveloped section of Goose Lake shoreline at 1,280 feet elevation, with vault toilets, potable water from hand pumps, and direct water access for fishing, paddling, and swimming.

Rustic state forest campground primarily for tent camping and small trailers, with lakeside sites.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest weather for water activities, with daytime highs between 70 and 85°F and overnight lows in the 50s and 60s. Water recreation and wildlife viewing peak during these months, though so do mosquitoes and deer flies. Bug spray and screened shelters make evenings more comfortable. Holiday weekends fill all 30 sites quickly at this first-come, first-served campground. Temperatures drop noticeably after sunset even in July and August, so pack a warm layer for campfires.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a wooded lakeshore corridor where mature pines and hardwoods create natural screening between sites. Goose Lake's clear water borders the eastern edge of the camping area, close enough for easy kayak launches and shore casting. The forest canopy filters light across the sites during the day, and the shoreline draws loons, eagles, deer, and turtles year-round. The setting feels remote despite the proximity to Lake City, with dense woods muffling road noise and framing views of the water through the trees.

Geological RegionLocated on state forest land within the Huron-Manistee State Forest (Missaukee County).

Scenic ViewsWooded lakeshore views; best views from lakefront or near-lake sites.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites30 campsites

Best CampsitesLakeside sites on the eastern loop offer the best water views and direct shoreline access for paddling and fishing. Several reviewers mention longtime family traditions tied to specific lake-facing spots, which fill first on weekends.

Amenities available

Rustic lakeside campground with basic amenities: vault toilets, hand-pump/rustic water, picnic tables; no electricity or dump station.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Small, quiet inland lake setting supporting fishing, boating/paddling, basic swimming and wildlife viewing, plus general forest walking/exploring and access to state forest hunting.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsAccess road and interior drives can be narrow, rough and include steep hills and sharp turns (may be challenging for larger trailers). Typical Northwoods insects (mosquitos/deer flies) and usual wildlife; cell service may be spotty. No specific recent wildlife incidents are reported.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

63 reviews

Recommended

Goose Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers commonly praise Goose Lake State Forest Campground as a peaceful, scenic, rustic lakeside campground with good fishing and pleasant, uncrowded sites tucked in mature woods.

Review Summaries

Based on 63 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors highlight the tranquil, wooded lakeshore setting, clear water, enjoyable paddling and fishing, well-spaced campsites, and abundant wildlife (loons, deer, eagles, turtles). Several reviewers...

Based on 63 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early on weekends because sites are first-come/first-served; choose lake-side sites for best views and access; bring water treatment or supplies despite hand pumps being present, bring insect...

Based on 63 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Nice little rustic camp ground. Water is very clear and decent fishing.”; “So peaceful!”; “Beautiful campground... No electricity, or dump station but the price is right.”

Based on 63 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddlers and shore anglers who can arrive Friday morning before the weekend crowd. Grab a lake-side site for direct kayak access to Goose Lake's pike and bass, and pack bug spray because the deer flies earn their reputation from June through August.

Skip if

Big trailers will have a rough time on the narrow, rutted access road with its sharp turns. Hookup-dependent rigs have no options here. A handful of reviewers also describe chilly interactions that suggest campers outside the local cultural mainstream may not feel fully welcome a

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

5.0

(6)

Long Lake State Forest Campground (Missaukee)

Long Lake State Forest Campground sits on a wooded hillside above a quiet glacial lake in Missaukee County. This small, rustic campground draws repeat visitors for fishing, swimming, and the kind of low-key lakeside atmosphere that hasn't changed much over the years. Sites are shaded by hardwoods and pines, with vault toilets and potable water as the only amenities.